ASID Celebrates the Stars of Design and Movie Magic on the Paramount Pictures Studios Lot

On Saturday, June 21, 2014, the stars of design will align with the stars of the silver screen as the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) hosts its annual Celebration: The ASID Awards Gala at Paramount Pictures Studios. As the longest operating and only remaining major studio in Hollywood, the lot will be the backdrop for a night of celebration and camaraderie in the interior design industry.

Over its 100-year history, the studio has produced some of the industry’s most iconic movies, including “The Ten Commandments,” “Psycho,” “The Godfather Trilogy,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Forest Gump,” “Titanic” and “Saving Private Ryan.” Today it is home to television shows such as “Glee,” “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “Dr. Phil.”

With more 5,000 employees working on 65+ acres, the lot is designed to be self-supporting with its own bank, fire department and hospital. While the lot boasts more than 30 sound stages, you won’t find a stage numbered unlucky 13.

The studio’s iconic logo featuring a mountain peak is a tribute to founder W.W. Hodkinson’s home state of Utah, while the name Paramount actually is derived from an apartment house Hodkinson passed every day in his neighborhood. Around the studio, legend has it the 22 stars around the mountain logo represent the 22 film actors who were under contract with Paramount when the logo was created.

Did you know?

Paramount Pictures Studios has a 176-foot by 195-foot “Blue Sky Tank” that can hold 914,023 gallons of water, to create the perfect water shots for movies and television shows.

The lot also features the famous “New York street.” Reconstructed after a fire in 1992, the street sprawls across more than five acres of the studio and it has eight districts you can find in New York City, including Brooklyn, the Lower East Side, the Financial District, Greenwich Village and SoHo.

The Chicago set at Paramount Pictures Studios, completed in 2005, has 10 storefronts for filming purposes and several alleyways. The set has been used in filming “American Idol” music videos and the movie “Barbershop” (2002).

Experience these sets in person and learn other interesting facts about the history of Paramount Pictures Studios during private tours at Celebration: The ASID Awards Gala. Tickets for the event are still available and can be purchased online. See you on Saturday!